Contents Bridesowe PC report page 2 Community Speedwatch page 3 Castle Drogo page 7 Adrian Brook page 8 Howard Barkell pages 9-10 Ark Project page 10 Sourton PC Clerk vacancy page 10 Movie Watch pages 13 - 14 Okehampton Library news page 16 Bridestowe Churches’ news page 17 ‘Frankenstein’ talk page 19 Micro businesses page 19 Treetops pages 20 & 24 Riverside Stores page 21 Sourton Round Up pages 23-24 Lydford Gorge news page 27 Forthcoming events page 40 October 2019 Issue 209

‘Mostly Leonard’ The songs of Leonard Cohen sung by Brian Higbee

At the Church House, South Tawton Friday 25th October at 7:30pm

Tea and coffee will be served in the interval Bridestowe Methodist Church or bring your own wine A Concert on Saturday 26th October at 7.00pm Tickets: £5.00 Bass Line Phone: 01837 861194 or Singers and instrumentalists. 07398843933 Tickets £5 on the door All proceeds to West Devon Safe To include light refreshments Haven Friends of St Bridget’s Bulbs and more bulbs Brighten the Bridestowe Methodist churchyard with more bulbs – a mass Church planting is to be held on Saturday 19th October between 10.00 and 12.00 All Harvest Supper welcome – Bring you own tools and gloves Tuesday 8th October (if you want clean hands for those delicious cakes at half time!) at 7pm As always coffee and cakes available to Pork and Apple Casserole spur you on! We will also be looking for volunteers to Followed by various help with the hedge thinning, Part 1. delicious puds. Part 2 will be on Saturday November 23rd – same time, same place! Same bribes of Tickets £6.50 from Brian coffee and cakes! Put it in your diary now Maddaford or Jennifer please! Thorne.

Bridestowe Parish Council Meeting Report (September 2019)

Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have been consulting on proposed reductions in provision of local fire engines. Councillors have been completing questionnaires objecting to these cuts. Views were expressed that this is dangerous and a concern to local residents. West Devon Borough council have proposed that the Council Tax Support Grant to the parish council be abolished. Currently this represents about four per cent of the council’s income and an increase in precept to cover this cut may be necessary for 2019/20, if this proposal goes ahead. The council has been drawing up their policies and procedures for data protection and these were approved. The council has agreed to install electric socket boxes for community use (charged at cost) in the electricity cabinet adjacent to the Devon Air Ambulance mast in the Sporting Green. This could provide power for music equipment, tea urns and the like. There will be a planning meeting on Thursday 10th October 2019 and a full meeting on Thursday 14th November 2019, both at 7.30 pm in the Methodist Church.

Agendas and minutes for Bridestowe Parish Council meetings are displayed in the bus shelters and noticeboards in the parish, or on the Bridestowe web site at www.bridestowe.org.uk Contact details for Bridestowe Parish Council: Pete Daniels (Parish Clerk), 4 Trescote Way, Bridestowe. EX204QB. Tel; 01837 861244. Email [email protected] BaSE Page 2 Community Speedwatch (CSW) is a national initiative where members of local communities join with the support of the police to monitor speeds of vehicles using speed detection devices.

Vehicles exceeding the speed limit are referred to the police with the aim of educating drivers to reduce their speeds. In cases where education is blatantly ignored and evidence of repeat or excessive offences is collated (even across county borders), enforcement and prosecution follow.

Speeding continues to be a concern for many communities in both rural and urban environments. Therefore, Community Speedwatch is not restricted to villages and rural towns. Neighbourhood Policing Panels have an important role to play in developing safer urban communities and the adoption of speedwatch schemes could assist them to more easily achieve their goals. Volunteers receive appropriate training, and are supported by neighbourhood policing team (NPT) staff. The scheme aims to cater for the problem of real or perceived speed related offending, and through partnership with the community it is to be used in circumstances that are necessary, justifiable and proportionate in order to:

• Reduce death and injury on the roads • Improve the quality of life for local communities • Reduce the speed of vehicles to the speed limit • Increase public awareness of inappropriate speed

Speedwatch activity is not about interfering with neighbours’ behaviour, it is a proactive solution to improve the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community. If you would like to become a volunteer or can suggest areas that need targeting, please contact Caroline Mott 01837 861212 07515533030

Quiz night at Belstone You are invited to a quiz at the Village Hall on Saturday 5th October. Doors open at 7 and questions start at 7.30. There will be brain food supplied in the form of a fish and chip supper half way through. The vegetarian option is a spicy veggie burger and chips.

Please bring your own drinks to keep the brain cells well oiled. Teams of 6. Tickets £9 per person. Contact Jo Currie to book your place!

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus, French philosopher, author, and journalist. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 44 in 1957, the second youngest recipient in history.

BaSE Page 3 Halloween fun at Finch Foundry Sunday 27th October 11- 4pm Can you help? Wanted urgently The fiery furnaces of Finch present a spooky backdrop for some scary Mattress for 2 large dogs. stories and a fun Halloween trail. Will collect Donations towards the story teller welcome. Steve Squires 01837 861225 Finch Foundry is a 19th-century water-powered forge situated in the village of Sticklepath near Okehampton. Report a pothole (EX20 2NM) It was originally used to produce agricultural and mining hand tools and at its peak The Report a Problem web page should be produced around 400 edge tools a day. used wherever possible using the following link www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/repor t-a-problem/report-a-pothole/

Not all potholes that are reported meet the criteria required to instigate repair. No reports are ignored, however, funding has to be prioritised on safety and Devon County Council cannot afford to fix all of the problems that are reported. Only potholes that are deeper than 40mm,(2 x 20p coin), wider than 300mm and have a vertical edge will be repaired.

Live music at The Wharf The Report a Problem web page allows you to report all manner of issues such as Focus flooding and blocked drains, faulty street Saturday 26th October at 8:30pm lights, overgrown vegetation, broken With their unique progressive rock Focus manhole covers, empty grit bins and more. manifested themselves at the start of the seventies as the most successful and the most You can contact highways by phone appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Customer Service Centre 0345 155 1004 Ticket prices This number takes all highway calls, logs From 6pm on the night £24.00 them on the Iways system or rings through In advance £22.00 to the relevant Highway Officer. Seated+Standing

Open Gardens Andrew’s Corner, Belstone, EX20 1RD Sunday 20th October, 2pm- 5pm Well established, wildlife friendly, well labelled plantsman’s garden in stunning high moorland setting. Variety of garden habitats incl woodland areas and pond; wide range of unusual trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants for year-round effect with blue poppies, rhododendrons, bulbs and maples; spectacular autumn colour. Family friendly, with quiz sheet, fairy doors, playhouse, fruit, vegetables and chickens. Adults £5, children free Access: Wheelchair access difficult when wet. BaSE Page 4 The Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde

The Bedford Hotel, (1 Plymouth Road, Tavistock, PL19 8BB) Thursday31 October & 1st November 7.45 pm - 9.15pm

The Tic Tac Toe Theatre Company present ‘The Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde’ - an extraordinary performance that tells a fascinating story, reflecting a very different era from our own. It is the 6th of April 1895 and Oscar Wilde waits alone at the Cadogan Hotel. He is awaiting a knock on the door that will bring an arrest warrant with charges of gross indecency against him. In this superb one man play, Oscar will talk openly about his affair with a young boy of fifteen whose life will never be the same again. He has bought down ruination on the head of his wife, Constance and their two boys, and of course the one true love of his life, Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas. Bosie once said to Oscar that when he was not on his pedestal he was boring; in this show Oscar may well stumble from his pedestal but he could never be called boring. After successful runs in Bristol, Bath, Warminster and Bournemouth Tic Tac Toe now come to Tavistock. All tickets £10 Tel: 01822 613221

Lewdown Past 10 Gardening jobs for October The Lewdown and area local history group 1. Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants Stowford Parish Hall 2. Cut back perennials that have died down Tuesday 15th October at 7.30pm 3. Divide herbaceous perennials 4. Move tender plants, including aquatic Dartmoor Stone Circles ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory and his discovery of the Sittaford stone 5. Plant out spring cabbages circle 6. Apply a couple of inches of compost, by Alan Endacott followed by a layer of mulch, to protect your Dartmoor-born archaeologist and former plants from hard frosts museum curator Alan Endacott has had a 7. Prune climbing roses 8. Finish collecting seeds from the garden to life-long interest in a local archaeology. In sow next year 2007 he discovered one of only two stone 9. Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges circles found since the 19th century which in mild areas is also the highest in southern England. 10. Renovate old lawns by raking, aerating and applying a dressing or create new grass Visitors are very welcome but may like to areas by laying turf. phone 01566 783396 nearer the time to check there has not been a rare change of programme or for further information. Clocks go back on Lifts are possible also. Charge £2 for Sunday members, £3 for non-members to include 27th October refreshments.

BaSE Page 5 Bridestowe Queen Bees At our next meeting on Thursday 19th September, Ann Lane showed us how to make decorations based on that Christmas favourite, the poinsettia. Fabric leaves, stiffened by thin wires, are grouped together with ornamental beads/ berries at the centre to make a very attractive decoration which can be used to adorn a table or to embellish a hamper or gift. Many thanks to Ann for doing all the preparatory work of cutting out leaves and then lending a hand during the assembly. At the meeting it was agreed that QBs would donate £50 to St Bridget’s churchyard bulb fund. This month’s meeting on Thursday 17th October is rather different. We have been kindly invited by Trish Butler to 1 Glebelands at 7.30pm to watch a short documentary entitled ‘A Plastic Wave’ which will describe the detrimental impact of plastic in our oceans. New members are always welcome.

Advance notice... OKEHAMPTON CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Dates for your diaries: Saturday 14th December at 7:30pm at Fairplace Church, Okehampton and Monday 16th December at Crediton Congregational Church. Okehampton Choral Society will be performing two concerts this Christmas featuring a Midnight Mass by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and The Sage Bush Carol by the society’s music director Andrew Wilson. There will also be a selection of popular carols for audience participation. So do come and join us for a fun festive start to your Christmas! Tickets are £10 (£5 students) available from choir members or on the door.

The Over 60’s Luncheon Club will be held on Tuesday 15th October - NOTE THE DATE which has been changed because of the Methodist Church Harvest Supper. Meet at 12 noon for lunch at 12.30pm. Please apologise to either Ruth Maddaford 861402 or Jenny Reynolds 861678.

Okehampton U3A - THE BOOK CLUB University of the Third Age will meet on Thursday, The next meeting will take place at the Ockment Centre, North Street at 2.30pm on 3rd October at Thursday 31st October when there will be a talk 7.30p.m. at the kind by George Kempton on the subject of ‘RNIB Talking invitation of Jenny Books’. Body at U3A welcomes new or prospective members and 9, Crandford Close. We shall be the only requirement is that members are not in full time employment. More information can be found discussing ‘Macbeth’ by Jo Nesbo and at www.u3asites.org.uk/okehampton; or please other books we have read. contact our chairman Please let me know if you are unable to sheila [email protected] If you would come so we have some idea of numbers. rather turn up and introduce yourself that’s fine too. Ann Allan on 861551 BaSE Page 6 Castle Drogo - What’s On? There’s lots going on this October half-term. Bat Trail - Saturday 19 October until Sunday 27 October, 11:00- 16:00 (£1, includes a badge as a prize). Sunday 27 October, from 11am-3pm.Follow the trail through the garden and grounds learning about which bats have made Castle Drogo and the Teign Gorge their home. Wild Tribe - Sunday 27 October, 11am-3pm. Children can get their hands dirty by taking part in Wild Tribe on (Free, no booking required, drop in anytime between 11am-3pm, non National Trust members do need to pay admission, National Trust members free).

Hydro turbine open house - Friday 4 October, 11:00-16:00 The Hydro Turbine building on the River Teign will be open for you to look inside. The knowledgeable guide will be able to tell you about the history of this building along with how it was restored and how it works. Early evening garden walks -Thursday 10 October, 17:00-18:30 Join one of our garden team for a walk and talk through the garden to take in the highlights of the season. £5 per person (normal admission applies). Fungi ForaySun 13 October, 14:00-16:00 Join an experienced mycologist finding and identifying the wide range of fungi on the Castle Drogo estate. £5 per person. Autumn woodland deer walk and breakfast - Saturday 19 October 07:15-10:00 Join this guided walk during the fallow deer rut to search for the sights and sounds of deer in the colourful woods. Afterwards enjoy a delicious home cooked full English breakfast in our café. £17.50 per person (£10 children). Crafty castle capers Tuesday 22 October, 11:00-16:00 Get your hands dirty by joining in a variety of fun filled crafty activities. Activities (and prices) will vary from making masks to clay modelling. Bringing your dog to Castle Drogo Here’s a breakdown of all the places you and your dogs can explore together: • Teign gorge – the estate is a dog walking haven. With over 1000 acres to explore this is the best spot for letting them stretch their legs and chase a ball. • Grounds- With your dog on its lead, head for a wander around the castle grounds. Dogs aren’t allowed in the formal garden but they are allowed in the orchard, rhododendron garden and along Mr Drewe’s path. • Shop - Feel free to mooch around our shop with your dog on its lead. Although the cafe doesn’t allow dogs you can grab something and sit outside under the new awning.

Marnie at The Manor House Hotel, Okehampton Thursday 31 October, 9pm - 10.30pm Entry FREE

Marnie (Acoustic Covers & Originals, Duo) perform an infusion of acoustic rock funk & blues - originals & covers. A lively duo with spine tingling vocals, driving guitars, mandolin, foot-stomper & cool electronic effects. The two excellent musicians bring another dimension to their raw, pure, heartfelt music creating a stunning sound with their adept use of “live” looping. In addition to their catchy original tunes filled with energy and soul, they also cover classic songs that delight & surprise audiences, both young & old. Florence & the Machine, Stevie Wonder, K.T.Tunstall, Nancy Sinatra, Massive Attack, Guns & Roses & more. BaSE Page 7 The Vicar writes... September ends and October begins with feast of St. Michael and All Angels on September 30th. Traditionally known as Michaelmas it marks a quarter day, the others being Lady Day on March 25th, Midsummer June 24th and Christmas 25th December. Michaelmas marked the end of the harvest season, it was the time when rents were paid and labourers were hired, land was sold and leased. It became the time for electing magistrates and university terms to begin. St Michael is one of the principal angelic warriors, protector against the dark of the night and the Archangel who fought against Satan and his evil angels. As Michaelmas is the time that the darker nights and colder days begin, the edge into winter, the celebration of Michaelmas is associated with encouraging protection during these dark months. It was believed that negative forces were stronger in darkness and so families would require stronger defences during the later months of the year. Traditionally, a well fattened goose, fed on the stubble from the fields after the harvest, is eaten to protect against financial need in the family for the next year; and as the saying goes: “Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, Want not for money all the year”. Goose Fairs were often held around this time although many no longer exist we are fortunate to still have Tavistock Goosey Fair at this time of year. Churches dedicated to St.Michael are often found on high places, Brentor and Chagford churches are two local examples. If you draw a straight line from St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, across to Walsingham in Norfolk, it passes through an extraordinary number of historic features including churches dedicated to St. Michael, Glastonbury Tor being one of the most famous. This line, known as the Michael Ley Line has been published as a Pilgrimage route. A small group of us have been developing our section of the route from Brentor to Chagford, known as the Archangel Way, as part of this British Camino to encourage pilgrims to Wander and Wonder in the landscape. If you happen to wander into Chagford, take a moment to find the statue of St. Michael on the church tower, carved in the school of Skeaping (ask the Art Correspondent for details). We have vast quantities of literature about angels in Christianity, Judaism and Islam; stories abound in modern form too from the Angels of Mons in the First World War to gun toting Angels of Hollywood. What is the fascination? The Mystic Meister Eckhart describes it thus: ‘The soul at its highest form is found like God, but an angel gives a closer idea of Him. That is all an angel is: an idea of God.’ As we stand on the edge of winter we can pray to St. Michael to help us conquer our negativity. Whenever we become stuck or in need of help in any situation where we feel overwhelmed or alone and in need of support, we can ask him for help. Try it.

Adrian Brook

Okehampton Public Access Defibrillators (OkePADS) not only install the defibrillators but we provide awareness training free of charge to the community throughout the year. Although anyone can use a defibrillator, it is vitally important that people have the skills and confidence to provide life saving treatment. We provide 2 hour awareness training that will allow everyone to perform good quality CPR and equip individuals with the skills needed to confidently attach a defibrillator. To book a place on a training session please contact us by email [email protected] or via Facebook Next session 19th November 7 - 9pm Octagon Theatre, Okehampton College Booking essential due to limited spaces These will be active & physical courses that will involve kneeling. BaSE Page 8 Methodists in Bridestowe - continued by Howard Barkell

Once the need for a larger building with better facilities had been established progress towards achieving that aim moved steadily while a suitable site was found and sufficient funds were accumulated to make the scheme viable. A site facing Station Road was ideal, but was it available? It has not been established who owned the land, but as it contained derelict cottages the likelihood is that it was still part of what had once been the huge Millaton Estate. John Gubbins Newton was still alive, so he was probably the vendor. The site was bought for the sum of £63 and an adjoining cottage and garden for £185. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the ground was donated by a farmer called Voaden who lived at Thorndon, but the figures quoted seem to show that this was no gift. It is true that he did live at Homelea which backs onto the site, but that was later on. As he was not among the first trustees, but John Newton was, suggests that the latter may have sold the land. The architect employed was Francis Worden of Okehampton. He designed a building with a chapel containing an organ and choir loft as well as space for vestries and other offices. The front was to be of Gothic style, faced with grey limestone, containing a porch with a window on either side. Above the porch was a two-light tracery window, all of Bath stone filled with leaded cathedral glass. Buttresses and coigns were of granite. The interior had an open arch over the organ loft and the pews, for 200 congregation, and panelling were of pitch pine. An innovation was the installation of vapour gas lighting. The estimated cost of building and fitting out was £800. The contract was awarded to G. Blatchford of Mid Devon Joinery Works in Okehampton and the building work to Walter White of Bridestowe. On 25th July 1906 the building began formally with the laying of the foundation stone. Actually 18 stones were laid and most of those so honoured had paid for the privilege. It was a day long celebration starting on site at 11 o’clock followed by a lunch held in the village school. A service at three led by the choir from Boasley Cross chapel was followed by a tea. Two names particularly praised were Lewis Voaden as secretary and John George Northcott as treasurer of the project. The building continued apace, but not without incident. In mid-November a wall suddenly collapsed. There is some doubt, but the evidence seems to suggest it may have been the front wall. The other possibility is the arch over the organ loft. Five men working on the scaffolding, all members of the White family, were thrown among the debris. Fortunately none of them was seriously hurt, but a bystander, George Vicary, was hit on the head by a falling stone and never regained consciousness. He was a long standing villager, 92 years old, and went by the title Captain because he had been in charge of various lime producing quarries in the vicinity. Co- incidentally he was also George Northcott’s grandfather. The inquest verdict was accidental death, that no one was to blame, but that the wall may have been weakened by the frosty weather! Despite this setback the building was completed on time, although slightly over budget, and was officially opened on 25th September 1907. A day’s celebration followed, similar to the one the previous year, only bigger. This time three sittings sat down to lunch and the toast to the “United Methodist Church in Bridestowe” was proposed, marking the change from Bible Christians to a larger amalgamation of Methodist groups. The surrounding walls, railings and gates were added later. The facilities were further enhanced with the provision of a pipe organ in 1911 and the debt was finally cleared in 1921. Various repairs, additions and alterations took place through the following decades, but it wasn’t until 1998 that a major refurbishment was started. The interior of the chapel was virtually stripped, pews, pulpit and interior removed and the floor made to one level. New lighting, redecoration and carpeting the floor provided a flexible space which could be used for various activities during the week. The furniture and fittings which had been removed were replaced by comfortable chairs and mobile staging, lectern and worship facilities. A public address system was installed and later a facility for recorded music and projected words and graphics was provided. The old Bible Christian chapel was soon converted into a school room and was BaSE Page 9 used for that purpose until recently, except for a short period early in the Second World War when it was requisitioned by the army. More recently redundant space was converted into a kitchen and small meeting room. Now the time has come to find a more appropriate use for facilities which are no longer needed for their original purpose and which are presently under used.

The ARK Project In May 2017 a proposal was put forward at the Church Council that alterations or re-ordering works should be carried out to the premises. An Architect was employed who drew up 9 different plans for changes to the Sunday School Room (Church Hall) and the kitchen. The site had to be surveyed, costed prior to tenders for the works to be sought. The West Devon Council have approved the planning, the Methodist District and Methodist Central Office have approved the project. The church council adopted plan no. 8 . The main reordering works to be a. The floor of the hall to be raised to the level of the back entrance, from the car park. b. The existing double doorway to be sealed off and a new double door be made central in the wall facing Launceston Road. c. A new disabled toilet and baby changing area be made in part of the existing kitchen. d. A new enlarged kitchen be constructed from the old kitchen and part of the committee room, with new doors and servery hatch. e. The existing passageway from the chapel to the hall to be reroofed & updated.

The aim of these reordering works to the premises is to have a facility for a coffee bar and meeting room for community use. Improved access for the aged and disabled and toilet facilities for disabled and mums with young children. Enlarge the kitchen to enable its better use for such things as the Over 60’s Lunch Club. WIFI has already been installed. It is hoped to commence the works shortly when the majority of the £150,000+ is funded. The premises have always been kept up to date and we trust these works will be beneficial to the community not just now but for the foreseeable future.

Sourton Parish Council Vacancy: Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer

This part time post is 6 hours per week. The starting salary is LC1, SCP7, £10.16 per hour. The post is subject to a 3 month probationary period. Working from home you will be responsible for all aspects of finance and administration of the parish council, providing advice and implementing decisions. Duties will include: Attending 12 evening meetings per year at Sourton Hall with some additional meetings when required. Preparation of meeting agendas, minute taking etc Dealing with correspondence Liaising with local contractors and government officials and departments Production of annual accounts of the Parish Council Ensuring the Parish Council complies with all relevant legislation Management of Parish Council website. Skills required include: Good literacy, numeracy and communication skills. For further information contact the Parish Clerk Tel 01837 861230 or email [email protected] Applications in writing to the Chair, Cllr Andrew Horn, Lake Farm Cottage, Lake, Sourton, Okehampton EX20 4HQ Closing date: 13th October Interview date: 21st October BaSE Page 10 RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Autumn Woodfest - a fun-filled weekend of activities, wood crafts, yoga, great food and talks, plus much more for all the family. See artisans at work on traditional crafts, including woodturning, carving and whittling, basket weaving and spinning in our Garen Room from Friday to Sunday. There will also be a chance to purchase some stunning wood crafts from some of the best wood traders in the region.

Woodfest Crafts: stalls and demonstrations in The Garden Room Friday & Saturday, 10am–4pm and Sunday, 10am–3pm See artisans at work on traditional crafts, including woodturning, carving and whittling, basket weaving and spinning. A chance to also purchase some stunning wood crafts from some of the best wood traders in the region.

Lower Woodland Saturday & Sunday 11am–4pm Ben May and his heavy horse team removing felled trees from the Woodland the traditional way.www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

Smiling Is Infectious Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu, When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner The journey swallows make and someone saw my grin. Swallows return to their wintering grounds in September When he smiled I realized and October. They spend the winter in Africa south of I’d passed it on to him. the Sahara, in Arabia and in the Indian sub-continent. I thought about that smile, British swallows spend their winter in South Africa - then I realized its worth. they travel through western France, across the Pyrenees, A single smile, just like mine down eastern Spain into Morocco and across the Sahara. could travel round the earth. Some birds follow the west coast of Africa avoiding the Sahara. Other European swallows travel further east and So, if you feel a smile begin, down the Nile Valley. Swallows put on little weight don’t leave it undetected. before migrating. Let’s start an epidemic quick, They migrate by day at low altitudes and find food on and get the world infected! the way. Despite accumulating some fat reserves before crossing large areas such as the Sahara Desert, they are Spike Milligan (or Karen McLendon-Laumann vulnerable to starvation during these crossings. who claims to have written it) Migration is a hazardous time and many birds die from starvation, exhaustion and in storms. “It’s been raining for 3 days without Migrating swallows cover 200 miles a day, mainly stopping. My husband is in during daylight, at speeds of 17-22 miles per hour. The depression, he is standing and looking maximum flight speed is 35 mph. through the window. If the rain In their wintering areas swallows feed in small flocks, doesn’t stop tomorrow, I’ll have to let which join together to form roosting flocks of thousands him in.” of birds. BaSE Page 11 EXCURSION TO LAST CENTURY RAILWAY

As a railway enthusiast I once worked in the Station Master’s office at Brighton Station. At that time, it was still British Rail and I have been somewhat saddened by the decline and troubles of the railway since its privatisation.

As a COI secretary — my working day timetable began at 08.23 a.m and finished at 16.52 p.m.

My responsibilities in this job were to type daily the endless Platform Train Timetables on stencils which then had to be “run off” on a duplicator. Apart from that chore, I was also in charge of Guards’ pocket-watches and lanterns, issuing tickets to Staff for journeys all over the UK when required as well as issuing and hot-foiling their ID cards when necessary. Another item of my work schedule was to maintain Time-Sheets for Guards, Drivers and Signalmen. All duties were carried out in quite a regimental fashion — and a memo was sent out to any miscreants in a set format for that person to attend at an appointed date and time to be interviewed and, if necessary, admonished by the Station Master or his Assistant, according to their misdemeanour. When staff were first enrolled as prospective employees, most folk began their ‘tour of duty’ with British Rail as ‘Carriage Cleaners’. Although there were one or two exceptions such as myself, but this was somewhat frowned upon as it was not considered to be good practice to enter ‘railway life’ through the `back-door’ so-to-speak. The benefits of being a member of Railway staff were highlighted by having some free travel during the year and also travel at considerable fare reductions when one wished to travel further afield. At that time, a return ticket from Brighton to Exeter — travelling Coastway on the Saturday through train departing from Brighton at 0.910 a.m was £5.00. That train arrived at Exeter at around 1.15 p.m. so it is surprising how much nearer Exeter became to Brighton whilst I was in the employ of British Rail. Those were the days! No excuses of ‘leaves on the line’ nor, ‘the wrong kind of snow’ and one could travel to Exeter without the inconvenience of having to ‘keep on changing trains’, as is now the case. Halcyon days indeed!

Jeannette Sanders

Kevin Ball, your Devon County Councillor Contact details. Address: 74 North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1BD Mobile: 07870 377879 Email: [email protected].

Caroline Mott, your West Devon Borough Councillor Contact details: Great Close Farm, Bridestowe, Devon, EX20 4NT Tel: 01837 861212 Email: [email protected]

Terry Southcott, your other West Devon Borough Councillor Contact details: Tel:01566 783079 Email: [email protected] . Movie Watch - September 2019 ‘Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack I went out for a ride……………..’ No? No glimmer of recognition? That’s fine, nothing to see here. Please move along and join the queue for Downton Abbey. But if you instinctively responded ‘….and I never went back,’ then this month’s first offering will be worthy of consideration. Blinded by the Light is the latest in a barrage of films underpinned by compelling soundtracks. This one, if you were wondering what I was on about, showcases the songbook of the seemingly indestructible Bruce Springsteen. Since the early 70’s, The Boss has been belting out a unique combination of rock and folk music, delivered on-stage with the most extraordinary generosity and energy. We saw him at Wembley in 1981. These days he looks younger while sounding every bit as good. But then don’t we all? The film is a comedy-drama set in Thatcher’s 1987 Britain. Directed by Gurinder (‘Bend It Like Beckham’) Chadha, it tells the coming-of-age story of Javed, a British-Pakistani Muslim teenager whose life is irrevocably changed once introduced, on his Sony Walkman, to the lyrics and music of Springsteen. Javed wants to be a writer but is making no headway with that ambition until taken under the wing of his saintly English teacher Mrs Clay (Hayley Atwell). The excellent Viveik Kalra stars in the lead role with a supporting cast also including Kulvinder Ghir, Sally Phillips and, incongruously, Rob Brydon. The filmmakers needed a grim setting to adequately portray Javed’s predicament. They could have done no better than their choice of Luton. The boy’s father was laid off by Vauxhall Motors while the family, despite trying hard to integrate, were subjected to appalling racist attacks. The Bedfordshire town provides hideous reminders of 1980’s Jobcentres and concrete shopping malls. This is a light, entertaining and entirely watchable film. Just as with Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Yesterday (Beatles) and Rocketman (Elton John), the soundtrack is immeasurably superior to the screenplay, but that isn’t a problem. Recommended…………if you’re a fan of The Boss.

Our second New Carlton visit of the month was something of a distress purchase. The clock ran out, denying us access to Downton Abbey and effectively forcing us upstairs into Screen 3 to see Ad Astra, described as an American science fiction adventure film. An equally apt description would be that of a vehicle designed solely to accommodate the ubiquitous Brad Pitt, co-producer and star of the film.

Hands up at the outset. This is not a genre with which I am familiar, or one in which I have any real interest. I am aware of BaSE readers far better equipped to provide an assessment of sci-fi wizardry. In fact I can’t really think of anyone less equipped than myself, but not to worry.

Alongside Pitt, the film stars Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler and Donald Sutherland. That much I know.

Thirty years ago, Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones) led a voyage into deep space, but the ship and crew were never heard from again. Now his highly qualified astronaut son (Pitt) must embark on a daring mission to Neptune to uncover the truth about his missing father and a mysterious power surge that threatens the stability of the universe. At least I think that’s what was going on. The Guardian’s review led with, ‘Brad Pitt Sulks in Outer Space’ and it is an unusually moody, melancholic performance by the eternal heartthrob. But the effects are fantastic and if you like that sort of thing, you’ll love this. BaSE Page 13 As one who has never seen Downton Abbey on the telly, most of you will know more about it than I ever will. However those on the front desk at the New Carlton have been stunned by a seemingly endless procession of local residents keen to take in the film. The reviews suggest a moderate piece of work but with such a cast (Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith etc) and location (Highclere Castle), they won’t go far wrong. It should run into October, so if you’re that way inclined, you know what to do.

Coming soonish to Okehampton we can anticipate the likes of Rambo: Last Blood (Sylvester Stallone, funnily enough), The Goldfinch (Nicole Kidman), Bait (‘Tension rises in a Cornish fishing village when local residents are crowded out by tourists’), Gemini Man (‘Present-day Will Smith is pitted against a younger version of himself’), Judy (Renee Zellweger stars as Judy Garland in a film that does sound good) and Joker (Robert di Niro in an eagerly anticipated - although not by me - psychological thriller).

Finally, the renovation of Screen 1 at the New Carlton is now complete. It offers 160 sumptuous new seats. No guarantee about what you’ll be watching, but you’ll be comfortable.

David Harrison September 2019

Recycling – the Power is in Your Hands

West Devon Borough Council and its partner FCC Environment are about to launch their new and enhanced recycling service, which will let residents recycle a lot more materials from their home.

Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said, “....we will be making announcements about our new scheme and launching our own campaign to raise awareness. Although the new scheme will not start until December, residents need to know about it now, so that they look out for information which is being posted to them.” All residents will receive a new white bag, two new stickers for their recycling boxes and a leaflet explaining which material goes in which container. The sticker and leaflets will be sent in the post at the end of October. The new white bags will be sent out separately.

BaSE Page 14 Coffee Morning One Bedroom Flat for Rent and Launch of In Touch Oke * rural, quiet location 1 mile Saturday 5th October from Bridestowe 9am - 12 noon * furnished The Charter Hall, Market Street * garden and parking Raffle and bric-a-brac/Books * LPG central heating We are also being joined by other * suit single person groups/stallholders including Pete’s Homebake, £450/calendar month. Okehampton Community Garden, For further details call Oke Tree Network 01837 861645

For sale ‘Froggy’ Travel Cot plus mattress £20 01822 820434

Thank you from Lilian Luxton Lilian Luxton would like to say a very big thank you to all the kind friends who called in on my birthday on Saturday 21st. The gifts, plants, beautiful flowers (thanks to the friends who helped to arrange them) and so many lovely cards and your precious time. Once again thank you all.

Errors and omissions in September’s BaSE. My sincere apologies, particularly to family and friends, for misspelling Diane Pearce’s surname - that was my error, not Jeannette’s. Also no notice of Bridestowe’s PC meeting appeared in BaSE and I have asked the clerk to remind me in future to ensure that doesn’t happen again. A.Young BaSE Page 15 October Events at Okehampton Library Saturday 5 Oct 09:30-12:30 – Okehampton Fun Palace Fun Palaces is an annual weekend of action including arts, science, craft and tech activities. Have a go at the following activities which people from our community are sharing with you for free. Crochet Embroidery Ukelele Opening hours:

LIBRARIES WEEK 7 - 12 October - A National Celebration of Libraries Mon 09:00 - 17:00 Look out for our Pop-Up Library around the town during libraries week, there Tue 09:00 - 18:00 will be free books, subject to availability. Wed 09:00 - 13:00 Wednesday 9 October 14:00-16:00 - Celebrating Libraries in a Digital Thu 09:00- 17:00 World Fri 09:00 - 18:00 Struggling with your hand held device - bring it into the library for staff to assist Sat 09:00 - 13:00 you. Take the opportunity to find out about the digital services that Devon Libraries has to offer. The library will also be open for all customers to browse and use our usual services plus coffee and homemade cake will be provided by the Friends of Okehampton Library. Free but donations welcome.

During Libraries Week we will be welcoming a class from South Tawton Primary School to show them around the library. Other schools are welcome to contact us to arrange a visit during their term times.

Thursday 24 October 10:00–11:00 - Make a Mad Money Box Decorate a money box to keep your cash in! Tickets £1.50 per child, please book in advance, suitable for ages 5+

Thursday 31 October 15:30–16:30 – Halloween Tricks & Treats Join the spooky fun at our monster bash! There will be games and ghosts galore. Dress up in your most ghoulish outfit and try not to get scared! Tickets £1.50 per child, please book in advance, suitable for ages 5+ Regular events Adults Every Tuesday 13:30-14:30– Knit & Natter Bring along your knitting, stitching, crochet or other portable project, for a chat with like-minded crafters. Tea and coffee available at 50p a cup. Children and Young People Tuesdays 10:00- 10:30 - Bounce & Rhyme aimed at over 1 year olds Free, no booking necessary Tuesdays 11:00-11:30 - Bounce and Rhyme aimed at under 1 year olds Free - no booking necessary 1st Tuesday of the month 15:45–16:45 – Bookworms Book Club for ages 7 – 11 (except Aug/Sept) Free - no booking necessary Wednesdays 09:30–10:15 - Duplo Builders & Storytime for ages 0-5 Free - no booking necessary 2nd Thursday of each month 15:45-16:45 - Bunala Book Club for ages 12+ Free -ask staff for further details Free, no booking necessary Book Track for ages 6+ during library opening hours Free, ask staff for further details Children under 8 must be accompanied to all events by a responsible adult Please see our library website or Facebook page for any additional events and library services www.devonlibraries.org.uk Tel: 01837 52805 BaSE Page 16 Bridestowe Churches Partnership

News from Bridestowe Methodist Church We are pleased to report that the fundraising for the ARK Project is going well. There is a concert on Saturday 26th October at 7pm with a group called Bass Line - an all male group of singers who come with a keyboard player, guitarist, double bass player and a flautist. Sounds like fun. Tickets £5 from Brian Maddaford, the 50/50 shop or Jennifer Thorne. Why not join us?

The Harvest Festival Service is on Sunday 6th October and we have Roy Sambles as our guest preacher - 11am Joint Service with the Parish Church. Our Harvest Supper is on Tuesday 8th October at 7pm, serving a very autumnal Apple and Pork Casserole followed by a selections of puddings. Tickets Adults £6.50 Children £3 available from Brian Maddaford and Jennifer Thorne or the 50/50 shop.

Sunday 27th October our service is at 11am with Rev Liz and will be a communion service.

Services at St Bridget’s in October 6th Harvest Festival at Methodist Church 11.00am 13th Morning Prayer 9.30am 20th Holy Communion 8.00am Messy Church 9.30am 27th Morning Prayer 9.30am

On Saturday 14th September, a very successful Harvest Supper was held at Knole Farm by kind permission of the Bickle Family. The weather was completely different to last year and a great evening was enjoyed by all. Over £1,230 was raised which will be split between the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the Farming Community Network and St Bridget’s. Particular thanks to the Bickle Family, Jo and Phil Down, Darren and Caroline Baker, Riverside Stores, James Morrish the auctioneer and all those who donated items for the auction, everyone who hosted a table and those who contributed in any way to make the evening such a success. We intend to hold the Harvest Supper again next year!

St. Bridget’s Church Bells

St. Bridget’s has been asked to allow ringing in the church on October 26th from 10.00- 15.00 for visitors taking part in the annual Tavistock Deanery ringing day. Although Bridestowe is no longer part of the deanery, it maintains close links and welcomes ringers during this annual event, although numbers are expected to be small. Bill Thirtle 01837 861256 BaSE Page 17 The 59 Club - supporting Bridestowe’s village hall The latest Bloodwise Quiz is now available in August Bridestowe’s Riverside Stores & PO 31st 15 Mike Dennis Subject this time is ‘Food & Drink’. September Cost £1 however you could win £20. 7th 8 Janet Pullen Good luck and I hope you enjoy. 14th 28 June Hewer Closing date October 31st 21st 54 unallocated Lewdown Victory Hall Alison Young 01837 861157 ali.young53@btinternet .com Snowball Whist Drive on Wanted Saturday 12th October Carpets that you are replacing, to at 8.00pm help us temporarily. (This is held on the second Saturday of Ditto kitchen units that are each month) unwanted - willing to collect or even buy if in really good order! Debbie and Terry Pritchard Contact Colin 01566 783279 07837 859 706

Bridestowe’s Volunteer Group We are meeting on Saturday 26th October at 9.30am at the cemetery gates. Not sure what we will focus on but we’ll make ourselves useful and we’ll end up at the Village Hall for refreshments. Do come and join us.

Okehampton Recycling Centre Winter opening times Please don't (October - March ) forget that Monday - Friday BACON BAPS 9am - 4.30pm will be served Saturday & Sunday on Saturday 10am - 4.30pm 26th October from Lunar cycle for October 10 -12noon at New moon 28th Bridestowe First quarter 5th Village Hall. Full moon 13th Last quarter 21st BaSE Page 18 ‘Frankenstein’ a talk by Professor Nick Groom Tuesday 22nd October at Bogberry & Finch Books, 15 St James Street, Okehampton ‘Prof of Goth’ Nick Groom will give a talk on Frankenstein and sign copies of his newly published editon of Mary Shelley’s classic (Frankenstein: or ‘The Modern Prometheus’: The 1818 Text - Oxford University Press 1 Oct 2019). Sit back and be entertained by an accomplished speaker and scholar whilst enjoying a complimentary glass of wine and cake. Nick Groom is Professor in English at the University of Exeter. He is a frequent guest on radio and television shows discussing topics ranging from the Union Jack to environmentalism, but is perhaps best known for his work on the Gothic. Among his many books are The Gothic: A Very Short Introduction, The Vampire: A New History, and editions of Gothic novels including Matthew Lewis’s The Monk, Ann Radcliffe’s The Italian, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He is currently the vampirology advisor on a project to promote public awareness of blood conditions through theatre and literature, funded by the Wellcome Trust - the country’s leading health charity. Tickets: £3.50

Devon County Council Posted on: 19 September 2019 Micro businesses invited to be part of a research trial to help boost efficiency Devon County Council is looking for freelancers, sole traders and businesses with fewer than 10 employees, (micro businesses), to work with them on a research trial designed to boost Devon’s economy. More than 90 per cent of Devon’s rural economy is made up of micro businesses, often home-based or family-run. Government funding via Innovate UK is paying for the research, which will help inform the way that the Council supports rural micro-businesses in the future, helping them to reach their full potential. Councillor Rufus Gilbert, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the economy, said: “They represent the backbone to our rural economy in Devon, and yet they are often the hardest for us to reach with business support to help them flourish. Without saying too much about the trial, otherwise the research could be compromised, we want to look at different ways of providing support to these businesses.” The Council is inviting micro businesses, freelancers and sole traders to be part of the research trial. They are hoping to work with more than 250 businesses in the trial group. After 12 months of monitoring these businesses, the council will be able to understand what type of assistance might work, and that will help them tailor support to rural businesses in future. Councillor Gilbert said: “A lot of owners of smaller businesses want the flexibility to create a good work-life balance, whilst still maximising profits.? They want to have more time to be able to do things they enjoy without having to increase work hours to keep their businesses on track? That means working efficiently during work-time, so that they’re able to have the work-life balance they’d like.” This trial will help the council understand better what the challenges are for micro businesses, what their aspirations are, and what makes a business work well.? With that evidence, future packages of support can be based on what helps businesses run more efficiently, and ultimately boost rural economies. The trial will run across Devon, and the Exmoor and Blackdown Hills areas of Somerset, working specifically with micro businesses, freelancers and sole traders working in four less-productive sectors:? tourism (including food, accommodation and retail); health and social care; trades such as construction, market traders and lifestyle businesses; and manufacturers. Businesses that would like to take part in the trial can sign up online at?http://bit.ly/engagingruralmicros or request more information by emailing [email protected] before the end of December 2019. BaSE Page 19 Tea & Talk Wednesday 16th October, 2pm -3pm

The South West Police Heritage Trust Curator of the South West Police Heritage Trust, Hilary will give us an insight into the work of the Trust and it’s more notorious archives and objects.

Museum Opening times Monday – Friday:10am – 4.15pm The photo shows the replacement Saturday: 10am – 1pm letter box for the damaged one at Ticket prices Hardhill Cross. Please note that Adults: £4 the Post Office has opted for a Children/students: £2 new location and now it is by the Family ticket: £10. salt bin in Thorndon hamlet. You Your admission provides free entry to the museum for the may not realise that this new box next 12 months, so pay once and come in free for the rest of exists as there’s not a lot of the year! through traffic. Sue Eberle BaSE Page 20 The Thursday Morning Group will be meeting on Thursday, 24th October at 10.30a.m. at 11 Crandford Close for a coffee morning. Please bring a small raffle prize.

Contact Ann Allan 01837 861551 Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir A brilliant evening of music was held in St Bridget’s church on the 21st September on behalf of FOSB who are sharing the profits with the Alzheimer’s Society. We made over £500 to be split equally between the two(the final figure to be calculated once all the expenses come in). FOSB wish to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to the choir along with Pippa MacDougal and Tracey Weymouth who sang with them. Also, to all those that worked hard to make the evening so successful; the Queen Bees, members of the church congregation and particularly the Whiteley family, for providing the food at the interval. We are pretty sure that all who attended had a great time! In a ‘two for the price of one’ evening the Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir moved on to the White Hart after the formal concert where an impromptu second concert took place. They have surely collected many new fans! Thank you again to all who attended, contributed and enjoyed the evening and thank you also to Riverside Stores, the White Hart and Posh Paints in Okehampton for selling the tickets for us.

Thursday 31st October Halloween at the Bearslake Three Murders and a Suicide - an evening with Simon Dell Simon will be joining us on Halloween to regale us with some spooky tales over a three course Halloween themed menu. Evening will start at 7pm. £35 per person.

Wine, Dinner & Christmas Song Friday 6th December We are taking bookings for our very popular Wine, Dinner & Christmas Song evening on Friday 6th December. The evening begins with mulled wine and canapés on arrival followed by a five- course dinner and Christmas songs performed by a barber shop quartet. £35 per BaSE Page 22 SOURTON ROUNDUP October 2019

Sourton Friendship Group We are sorry that our September meeting was cancelled. We are looking forward to meeting in the Village Hall at 2 pm on 8th October. We will be doing card handicraft again as so many members enjoyed the last session. Janet and Mary will be supervising us and giving help when it is needed. New members are always welcome.

Sourton Hall Quiz We had a very enjoyable quiz evening trying to find answers to Graham’s interesting questions on many subjects. We would like to thank the many people who worked hard to make it such a success and it was good to see the hall full of people happily racking their brains. Special thanks to Graham and his helpers Carol and Jo and everyone who came to support us. We raised £440 for hall funds which will be spent on the upkeep and maintenance of the hall.

Church Cream Teas Thank you to everyone who helped at and supported our August cream teas which made a fantastic profit of £1327 for church funds and £385 to be divided with the Devon Historic Churches Trust. Our helpers did work hard and it was great to maintain a happy and friendly atmosphere each afternoon and we are very grateful for our “loyal” customers.

Funeral Service The service for John Driscoll, taken by friend Roly Pargeter, was held in Sourton Church on 21st August. John’s widow Angela regularly attends and sings at the Taizè services. We were saddened to hear of his death and we send our love and condolences to Angela and his family.

Shoebox Appeal for International Aid Trust We are planning to take the shoeboxes to Okehampton on 16th October so could they please be given to me before then. Thank you very much for your support.

Harvest Festival Our traditional Harvest Thanksgiving Service is on Monday 7th October at 6.30 pm followed by supper and auction. The collection from the service is for the Farming Community Network which gives vital support and advice to farmers as they face an uncertain future. We do hope that you have already purchased your tickets and we look forward to an enjoyable evening thanking God for our many blessings.

Sourton Hall Lottery

September 1st 78 Janet Scutt October 1st 102 Janet Humphreys 2nd 18 Linda Cole 2nd 75 Abi Horn 3rd 57 Daniel Fogerty 3rd 13 Charlie Ewen

Thank you for your support of the lottery as it raises vital funds for the hall.

Future Dates 7th October 6.30 pm Harvest Thanksgiving Service 21st October 2.30 pm P.C.C. Meeting at Parklands . BaSE Page 23 Church Services in October 6th 8 am Prayer Book Holy Communion – Rev. Adrian Brook 13th 4.30 pm Taizè Service 20th 11 am Common Worship Holy Communion – Rev. Stephen Cook 27th 11 am Morning Prayer – Caroline North

Rose Dashper

Okehampton Auctions Unit 1 Fatherford Farm, Exeter Road, Okehampton Next auction Wednesday 16th October. The viewing takes place from 10am - 1pm Monday, 12p.m. - 6.p.m. on the Tuesday and from 8.30a.m. on the day of the sale, with the sale commencing at 10 a.m BaSE Page 24 www.TomFosterArchitecture.co.uk Specialist in new, old and historic buildings for work or home. Expert in Eco-Building, ‘Passive House’, DNPA, Planning Permission, Building Regs,build-contract admin, or just some can-do advice. Ring 01647 24436 to bring your vision closer.

Red Spider Company A hugely successful lunch was held recently funds for future dramatic productions by the members of the Red Spider Company based in Lewdown. It was hosted by the Spider’s Treasurer, Martin Perry at his home in Northlew and raised £423. The event was blessed by fine weather and a number of guests were able to lunch in the garden. The buffet was Boeuf Bourguignon with a wide selection of desserts. The Chairman, Mrs Maureen Cooke used her charm to extract the maximum takings for the raffle! The next events are workshops on Saturday 5th October in Lewdown Victory Hall at 2.30pm and on Sunday 27th October in Bratton Clovelly Hall at 2.30pm. All are welcome to come along and join the fun in preparation for a production of “The Wheel of Life” - a play written by Ron Warman concerning the latter years of the life of The Rev. Sabine Baring Gould.

Martin Perry 01409 221376

Treasurer required for Bridestowe Village Hall – Voluntary Post

Duties include – managing the bank accounts and cash flow. Recording West Devon Borough Council fund a payments and receipts, and home improvement loan scheme reconciling the bank statements. Basic for homeowners and landlords*. knowledge of spread sheets required. We understand the expense of maintaining your home. The invoicing for hall hirers is We want to help you to take the stress out of funding managed by another trustee and full repairs, improvements or adaptations to your home. support will be given at handover. We see you as an individual, not a credit score. If you are interested and would like For a free, no obligation home visit or more further information please contact information: Esther Winter on Contact Wessex Resolutions CIC on 01823 461099 or 01837 861111 – we would love to hear visit from you. www.wessexresolutions.org.uk *Subject to eligibility

Would you like to book Sourton Parish Hall? Sourton Parish Hall has good facilities and would be suitable for a variety of functions and meetings. It offers a large hall, kitchen, disabled toilet, committee room and large stage. It has disabled /wheelchair access with ramped entrances. To book or for more information contact Geraldine Jury 01837 861414 or Chris Heron 01837 861523 email: [email protected] Website - www.sourtonvillagehall.org.uk Facebook - Sourton Village Hall SourtonVH BaSE Page 25 THE WHITE HART INN, BRIDESTOWE

Nr Okehampton, Devon Tel: 01837 861318

QUIZ NIGHT Opening hours: Wednesday 9th Monday - Friday 12 - 3pm 5pm -close in aid of Saturday and Sunday Bridestowe Village and bank holidays open all day Hall Home-cooked food served between 12 - 2pm and 6pm - 9pm

Families and dogs welcome Every Wednesday 12-2pm, OAPs Fish & chips with peas and bread and butter £5.95

RobACE Construction Tiling, Bathroom & Kitchen renovations Your trusted, experienced and insured local builder www.race-construction.co.uk [email protected]

Tel: 07405 878 632

Dog walking and pet sitting Qualified dog behaviourist. BSc Hons degree. Training, or walk and train. All sizes and types. Reactive dogs a speciality. Individual or small groups of dogs, (no more than 4 compatible dogs walked together). Ring me on 07568 537 532 for a chat. BaSE Page 26 The National Trust - News from Lydford Gorge Rose Cooke, Visitor Experience Officer As the month turned from August to September, the season turned from summer to autumn. The vests, woolly socks and scarves have come back out (at least for me), and the first signs of autumn are visible in the gorge. There were some lovely blackberries around this year which were very useful for the autumn wild kitchen event. We made four variations of apple and blackberry jam on the camp fire – flavoured with fresh ginger and cloves, elderberries and dark chocolate – all with a hint of wood smoke. You’d pay hundreds for that in London!

As you know, from Monday 28 October only the waterfall trails will be accessible for walks. The first big job of the winter will be the replacement of the condemned pixie glen bridge. The new bridge will echo the railway heritage of the area that first brought visitors to the gorge. It will be arched, giving a better view out over the river, and made of metal to help it last in the constantly damp atmosphere of the gorge.

What’s coming up… Torchlit walk Fri 18 & Wed 23 Oct, 5.30-7pm Light your way to Whitelady Waterfall with a flaming torch while enchanting music fills the gorge. Then warm up with a hot chocolate and toast marshmallows on the fire. £8 per ticket with torch, £2 for other tickets, booking essential online or ring 0344 249 1895 Halloween trail Sat 19 to Sun 27 Oct, 10am-3.30pm The rangers have all turned to skeletons! Follow the spooky trail through witch’s wood and work out what jobs the skeleton rangers are doing to win your prize. £3 per trail. Practical potions Sat 26 Oct, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm A magical potions class with a bit of science thrown in, featuring a session on dry ice experiments and a break to toast marshmallows over the fire. This hands-on event is recommended for children over 7, supervised by an adult. £8 per child, booking essential online or phone 0344 249 1895 Spooky day Sun 28 Oct, 11am-3pm Get into the spirit of Halloween. Make a pencil broomstick, weave a dream catcher, take home a magic wand and join in the potions class. £5 per child. Wild kitchen Sat 9 Nov, 11am-2pm Forage for sloes to concoct some exciting flavour combinations to add to the spirit of your choice (please bring your own), then enjoy a warming venison stew around the open fire. Over 18s only please. £15 per person, booking essential online or phone 0344 249 1895

Opening Times 2019 Until Sunday 27 October the whole gorge is open every day 10am-4pm. The waterfall tea-room opens 10.30am. From Monday 28 October only the waterfall trails will be accessible. The shop, waterfall tea-room (November) and Devil’s Cauldron tea-room (December) will be open Friday to Sunday 10am-3.30pm until Sunday 22 December.

Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge Facebook: LydfordGorge Instagram: lydford.gorge.nt Lydford Gorge National Trust, Lydford, Nr Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4BH Tel: 01822 820320 Registered Charity Number 205846

BaSE Page 27 The Moor Hair Co Paula, Andrea, Shirley and Marianna welcome you to the salon. Marianna is offering beauty services such as manicures and pedicures, normal and mini threading, eyebrows, upper lip, chin and full face. Also she is skilled at eyebrow tinting and henna and make up for those special occasions. 3 St James Street, Okehampton Tel: 01837 658696

Raw Meat Animal Feed for Dogs & Cats Convenient 400g blocks Frozen to preserve No preservatives and no artificial colourings - both can be harmful to your animal Raw Rations Plus For information or to order: website: www.rawrations plus .co.uk Phone: 07831096666 or 01566 783079 Email: [email protected] Post: Fairview Bungalow, Lewdown, Okehampton EX20 4DL

All aspects of carpentry and construction. • Solid wood and laminate • Renovations flooring • Hanging and fitting doors • Kitchens • Joinery • Bespoke pieces • Roofing • Decking and fencing • Free quotes Tel: 07710665379 Email: [email protected]

AVON For more information on Avon products or if you would like a catalogue, please contact Emma Jenkins Email: emze1996@yahoo. co.uk Facebook Emma’s Avon

Book keeping & VAT Returns Basic Payment Scheme Farm Record Keeping Stewardship applications Farm Assurance Water regulations Payroll Waste Exemptions Grazing Licences Fiona StaceyTel: 07870 632395/ 01566 783418 Email: [email protected]

BaSE Page 28 Unusual ‘Thumbprint Art’ products from For all things Usborne Penny McInnes For more information on Usborne books, please contact: Thumbprint Art greetings cards and postcards Jackie Butler with local views are available from Bridestowe Stores. Independent Usborne Organiser Elsie’s Book Corner Available from me are cards with pictures of 07828323473 other locations, and A4 and 7” x 9” prints. [email protected] me on They are in clear sleeves, and cheap and easy Facebook - Elsie’s Book Corner to frame. They make unusual treats for yourself or presents which are ideal for posting. There are numerous designs, mostly local, Cornwall coast and harbours abroad.

For details of the full range and prices, ring me, Penny McInnes, on 01837 861364 or email [email protected]

COMMISSIONS ACCEPTED.

Here to help I am a reliable young lady who is available to help with general housework - cleaning, washing, shopping, etc, plus outdoor work such as mowing lawns and dog walking. My rates are very reasonable. Please call Anya 0795 1122 953

Michael Lashbrook Any job undertaken! Garden Services - Treework - Hedge cutting Tel: 0751 397 5711 Email: [email protected]

Tony Day - Plumbing and Gas services Main and LPG gas appliances serviced and repaired Phone 01837 83702 Mobile 07773 966 201 BaSE Page 29 Alder Vinyard We are open for Tours, Tastings and Garden Walks. Shop now open every Saturday 10 - 4pm (out of hours, please call ahead or check our website) Bottles of our wine available from Scrap cars collected Riverside Stores Tel . 01837 52805 Reliable service guaranteed Lewdown EX20 4PJ www.aldervineyard.uk Top prices paid Secondhand tyres for sale. Call Michael on LOCAL PLUMBER Est. 30 Years Bridestowe & district 07831698676 Call Mick on: 01566 783562 / 07984 812807

SAM ALLUM Boiler Maintenance FOR SERVICING AND BREAKDOWN OF OIL BOILER Call: 01822 610 668 Mobile: 07832 024 948 Email:[email protected] • Competitive rate • Friendly, tidy and efficient • Call now for a quote

Champion Tree Services All aspects of Tree Surgery and Garden maintenance undertaken Felling, Reductions, Hedge trimming, Strimming, Grass cutting, Ground maintenance Also quality firewood supplied Fully insured Thrushel View, Lewdown Tel: 07881 288093

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE Includes upper back, shoulders, neck,upper arms, head and face massage PEDICURE SPA Includes soaking feet in natural herbs, removing dead skin with herbs, cuticle treatment, cutting, filing, buffing and polish toe nails MANICURE SPA Includes soaking fingers,cutting,filing, cuticle treatment, buffing and polishing nails. DISCOUNT FOR PENSIONERS ALSO AVAILABLE: PARAFFIN WAX TREATMENT FOR HANDS AND FEET

R.H. GARDEN AND HANDYMAN SERVICES

Lawn mowing and strimming Hedge trimming Digging and planting Leaf clearing Power washing Gutters cleared Car washing Painting and decorating Over 20 years experience

Call Richard on 01837 861220 or mobile 07939574767 Email; [email protected] BaSE Page 30 Golden Leaf Landscapes R&B REMOVALS Garden Construction, Design and Maintenance friendly & efficient service 24/7 Louise and Robert Mogridge Fully qualified with over 15 years experience · regular trips to London 01837 89285 07811781137 · local/long distance www.goldenleaflandscapes.co.uk · secure storage

Caroline Harris, ALAB, Bookkeeping CALL ROB ON Services 01837 880336 or 07583 220243 • Bookkeeping • Accounts preparation Reiki treatments - • VAT relax and unwind with a 1 hour • Secretarial services treatment in a beautiful setting on • Many years office and business experience the slopes of Dartmoor. Tel 01566 783 502 Mobile 07866 953708 Call Danielle Email: [email protected] 01822 820 379, The Old Chapel, Portgate Hill, Lewdown, EX204PX Burn Cottage, Lydford.

MOOR CLEANING SERVICES

Domestic Cleaning Holiday Lets River Walks Ironing House/Pet Sitting Home Support Over 16 years veterinary experience Liability Insured Dogs, cats, small animals to small holdings and special needs pets cared Tel. - Paula 07885 742 908 for. Also dog walking and cleaning Email - [email protected] available Please call Louise on 07968698641

CROSSGREEN WOODWORKS Established Cabinetmakers and Specialist Joinery. Proprietors Ginette and Brian Nobbs. Crossgreen Woodworks, Lower Cross Farm, Lifton,Devon, PL15 9SL, • HAND PAINTED SHAKER STYLE kitchens made in our workshop • SECOND NATURE bespoke quality kitchens • FREESTANDING solid wood kitchens • Compare our prices with other kitchen suppliers, you will find our kitchens are very competitively priced. We are happy to cross price any quote you have had. Telephone 01566 784216 www.crossgreen-woodworks.co.uk email: [email protected] BaSE Page 31 Ian Cann Professionally installed....kitchens...... bedrooms...... bathrooms • Full supply and fit service • Replacement doors and worktops • Bespoke painted kitchens • Made to measure bedrooms • Wall and floor tiling Free quotes and advice Tel: 01837 861480 Mobile: 07841043718 Email: [email protected]

Rob McBain Tree Services Trained, Certified & Insured All tree work undertaken Hedge laying & pruning Fencing 07824 980 198 [email protected]

Heaecology Ecological Consultancy and Management - Specialists in Protected Species and Mitigation Thrushel View, Lewdown, Okehampton EX20 4QP Tel: 01566 783183 Mobile :07866 467 892 Email : [email protected] Website: www.heaecology.co.uk

Bird tables for sale Locally made to a high standard Various designs, free standing and hanging tables.

Tel: 01837 861604 Mobile: 07902913627 Handy -Van Man and Van - Ready to Help! Removals - Clearances - Labouring Local or long distance. Careful, safe deliveries. Any job considered, big or small. Reasonable rates Tel: 01837 811172

Guitar lessons :- for beginners and intermediate - all styles Tel: 01837 861415 or visit www.jeffguitar.co.uk for more details

New workshop dates

High quality flowers tailor -made for all occasions Free local delivery around Okehampton area Gift vouchers available Workshop dates 31st October - Spooky Halloween Flower Arrangements 20th November - Floral Gift Ideas for Christmas 30th November - Luxury Christmas door wreath Workshop (also on 1st, 6th, 7th and 11th December) 20th & 21st December - Creative Christmas tables and baubles Workshop More information on www.halleyfloraldesign.co.uk and my facebook page 01837 861725 or 07380 194380 More information can be found on the website www.halleyfloraldesign.co.uk or call Bev on 01837 861725

Robert & Nicholas McNamara 01566 783471 Specialists in round the clock care, repair and maintenance of all of your Plumbing and Central Heating Services Domestic, Agricultural and Light Industrial Domestic Oil Fired Boilers & associated services Proper craftsmen taking a pride in what we do! 07596 9972071 / 07599078805 No call out charges Mini Digger Hire -1½ ton Very Competitive Rates Telephone: 01837 861 509 Mobile: 07748344978 Woodhead, Bridestowe, Okehampton

EDZ Chimney sweeping Valeting service Painting and decorating service sensible Car, van or whatever you have service. prices - vac and brush for valeting - collection and Interior and exterior work . Also window delivery service. Reasonable rates cleaning service Prices from £25 - £45 Free quotes 01837 861604 Mobile 07902913627

Are you tired. overworked. overstretched and under pressure? Is your business out of control and you’re missing deadlines? Have you fallen into the entrepreneur’s trap? I create space and time for you to focus on the priorities of your business allowing it to grow and function more effciently. My name is Chris Heron. and I offer Virtual PA and Business Administration Support. I’m passionate about supporting small businesses and in particular. women in business, to reach their full potential. So, it you want to get organised and get stuff done, let’s have a chat

DARREN PHARE, MOTOR ENGINEER, BRIDESTOWE GARAGE. Cars, Light Goods and 4X4s – servicing, repairs, welding, MOT preparation and MOTs arranged. Tel: 01837 861770 or Mobile: 07773 669097 BaSE Page 34 Redstones Independent Funeral Directors - Established for Five Generations A well planned funeral honours the passing of a unique individual Traditional • Humanist • Civil • Woodland Call Keith or Ali at anytime on 01837 840205

Steve Swift CHIMNEY SWEEP Tel: 01566 783435 Mob: 07890 467406

Alistair Kinsey Hearing & Mobility Independent Hearing Aid Audiologist Ear wax removal service Tel: 01822 617883 Email: [email protected] 1A Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW www.hearingmobility.co.uk

Step Ahead Lettings An independent, forward-thinking lettings agency offering a variety of services to suit your needs. Tel: 01566 482402 www. stepaheadlettings.co.uk Find us on Facebook & Twitter

C. DA -VIEW Window Cleaning Service in your area Tel: 0777 333 0762 or 01837 659449 and ask for Paul

NORTHMOOR GARDEN MACHINERY WINTER SERVICING AND REPAIRS. BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR ALL ENGINE DRIVEN GARDEN MACHINERY. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. COLLECTION SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR ALL MACHINES. RAMP AND WINCH FOR RIDE ON MOWERS IF REQUIRED. NO VAT ON LABOUR CHARGES. RIDE ON & PEDESTRIAN MOWERS GARDEN TILLERS CHAINSAWS, STRIMMERS ,CHIPPER/SHREDDERS, HEDGE TRIMMERS ,LEAF BLOWERS & MORE

CALL RICHARD ON 07591 655072 or 01837 861852 www.northmoorgardenmachinery.co.uk [email protected]

• Rotary/ manual sweeping • Certificates for insurance issued • Chimney CCTV recordings carried out • Birds nest removal • Complete dust free service

High reach equipment also available for gutter cleaning/ external chimney repair Special rates for BaSE catchment area

Call: 01837 861873 07747419950 Haldon Wood Farm Plants .... At the top of Pool Hill Call in and take a look at the new plants we have on offer. Pansies and cyclamens will bring winter colour to your garden. A selection of shrubs will be available shortly. All at very competitive prices. Bring back your empty plastic flower pots and trays and we will recycle them.

Devon Dogs Professional dog training on your doorstep We offer life skills, obedience and agility training. Huge purpose built barn Tel: 07717 696623 Email: [email protected] www.devondogs.co.uk

Itechmonster LTD IT Support Website Design Business E-mail Web Hosting Domains Custom Software/Programming 0330 043 0735 [email protected] [email protected]

John & Diane Ware Hunters Moon Bridestowe, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4EN Tel 01837 861193email: [email protected] website: www.huntersmoondevon.co.uk

Richard’s Time Machine Mobile Disco :- Wedding and Family Party Specialist,Personal, Memorable - and Fun!! www.richardstimemachine.co.uk 01837 811172 Bramhill Cob, Lime and Stone Laying Eco Buildings Barn Conversions Lime plastering, Tadelakt & Venetian Extensions Repair, Restore & Renovate Listed Buildings Repointing Construction Skills Certification Scheme reg. Alister Polhill Mob. 07518 908 876 Tel. 01822 820347 Email : [email protected]

Broadwood Boiler Services Quality oil fired appliance maintenance at competitive prices Call Mark: 0781 4976 076 or 01566 784298

T.M. Maintenance & Construction .....Affordable, friendly help Tony Matthews, experienced in maintenance & construction No job too big or too small Great prices on slate and marblecut to anysize and shape Tel: 0797 226 3780 Email: [email protected]

Okehamptonplumber.co.uk Gas boiler servicing from £50 (incl.LPG) Gas boiler replacement and repair Landlord certificates Bathrooms and kitchens Tel: 01837 658907 Mob: 07870 305 880 Plumbing Heating Renewables

Windows, doors, conservatories and joinery UPVC, timber & aluminum supplied and fitted Fascias, glazing & trade counter Tel: 01837 54019 www.okehamptonglass.com

Okehampton ‘Kenpo Ryu’ Karate Kickboxing Tuesday evenings at Okehampton College Gymnasium Juniors 6pm - 6.45pm Adults 7pm - 8.15pm Come and give it a try, the first lesson is free! For more information, contact instructor Roger Chestnutt 07886 185281

Stokes & Co Accountants A One Stop Shop for all your bookkeeping & accountancy needs • Sole Trader, Partnership & Limited Company Accounts • Project Management, Budgets and Analysis • VAT, Payroll and Month End Accounts Free initial consultation - Please call to find out much we can save for you! Tel: 01837 861176 www.stokesaccountants.co.uk

Abigail’s Babysitting Service Fun, caring and kind girl who has experience. I have completed a babysitting course and first aid run by ‘Teen Angel Babysitting’. I charge £5 per hour. Tel: 01837 861247 BaSE Page 37 Complete Podiatry & Chiropody Care

Mr Heath Weymouth BSc(Hons) PgDip MChS HCPC Registered Podiatrist & Member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists 07946-473972 Home visits available CANNON BARN PODIATRY Helping you walk towards pain free Treatments include: Corns, callus, ingrowing toenails, thickened nails, biomechanics, sports injuries and much more. 1 Cannon Barn Cottages, Lewdown. Nr Okehampton. Devon. EX204BT

Limited Editions A selection of limited edition cards, including new images from the Spring Cottage Collection by local artist Fay Johns are available from Riverside Stores and Country Lanes Garden Centre, Okehampton. These cards fit into a 6 inch mount aperture and can easily be made into a framed piece of art, making a lovely gift. Original Paintings available at The Blind Spot Gallery, in the Okehampton Arcade. Well worth a visit. JAMES TENNANT LTD LAND ROVER SPECIALIST Est. 1987 Landymoor, Cowsen Lane, Sourton, Okehampton EX20 4HY Tel. 01837 861478 Email: [email protected]

www.jamestennant.co.uk

Class IV MOT Centre for all makes of car Supply of Land Rover parts

Courtesy car available if required, while we MOT your vehicle.

Hairdresser Haircuts, Styling, Makeover, Men, Women anad Children. Will visit in the area. New in Lewdown but still visiting in the Bridestowe and Sourton areas. Ring Gina Reichert!! Tel 01566 783455 BaSE Page 38 Magna Carpentry Complete carpentry service Roofs, dormers and Veluxes Kitchens supplied and fitted 1st and 2nd FIX Free quotations Tel: 07540 956379 www.magnacarpentry.com

Sam White Hedge laying - tree felling - pruning - firewood/logs Mini digger hire - landscaping Tel: 07515 420 883

Experienced carer Has various days and hours available. Excellent references To enquire, please contact Belinda 07534 711357

Dartmoor Tiling - Professional Tiling Service Contact: Steve Essery Tel: 01837 52013 07729 460746 Website: www.dartmoortiling.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Music Shop, Specialist Coffee and Teas in the heart of Dartmoor 10 The Arcade, Okehampton, EX20 1EX Tel: 07769 931321 Find us on Google, Facebook & Instagram Branded musical Instruments, Accessories and Servicing alongside Fine Coffees, Tea and Beverages

Ink Cartridges & Toners/Printer/Copier/Photo Paper Envelopes/Laminating Pouches/Blank Cds/DVDs/Jiffy Bags Fax & Copier Supplies *******Competitively priced & personal local service****** *Plus Much More* Please contact me for prices.

Tel: 01837 861228 Email: [email protected] BaSE Page 39 Forthcoming Events for October

Thursday 3rd 7.30pm, 9 Crandford Close, Book Club Saturday 5th 9.30am, Tina’s Kitchen, St James Street, Okehampton, Armed Forces & Veteran’s Breakfast Club 7pm for 7.30pm, Belstone Village Hall, quiz Monday 7th 6.30pm, St Thomas a Becket Church, Harvest Festival Tuesday 8th 2pm, Sourton Village Hall, Friendship Group meeting 7pm, Methodist Church, Harvest Supper Thursday 10th 7.30pm, Methodist Church committee room , PC planning meeting Tuesday 15th 12noon, Methodist Hall, Over 60s Luncheon Club 7.30pm, Stowford Parish Hall, Talk on Dartmoor’s stone circles Wednesday 16th 2pm-3pm, Museum of Dartmoor Life, Tea and talk 8pm, White Hart, Quiz in aid of Bridestowe Village Hall Thursday 17th 7:30, 1 Glebelands, Queen Bees, ‘A Plastic Wave’ Saturday 19th 10am-12 noon, St Bridget’s, bulb planting

Thursday 24th 10.30am, 11, Crandford Close, Thursday Morning Group 7.30pm, Bridestowe Village Hall, Management Committee meeting Friday 25th 7.30pm, Church House, South Tawton, Brian Higbee’s ‘Mostly Leonard’ Saturday 26th 9.30am, Cemetery gates, Bridestowe Volunteer Group session 10am - 12 noon, Bridestowe Village Hall, Bacon Baps 10am - 3pm, bell ringing at St Bridget’s 7pm, Methodist Church, Concert Sunday 27th 10am - 3pm, Sourton Village Hall, Craft Fair Thursday 31st 2.30pm, Ockment Centre , U3A talk on RNIB Talking books

Weekly exercise activities held in Bridestowe Village Hall Monday 9.15 -10am, Pilates (Beginners) " 6.45 - 7.45, Aerobics Tuesday 2 - 4pm, Short Mat Bowls " (term time only) 6.30 -7.30pm, Margaret Moore Suite, Belly dancing Thursday 7pm - 8pm Yoga ------Sports night: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7pm - 9.30pm, Meth Church

BASE submissions We usually plan to print BaSE 5 days before the end of the month so please get your submissions in well before this date as compiling the newsletter takes some time. If you do have a late submission, it’s worth phoning to see if we can squeeze it in. Many thanks. Martin & Alison Young Don’t forget you can read it online via Bridestowe’s and Sourton’s websites.

Contact details for BaSE:- Alison Young, Glebe Park, Pig's Leg Lane, Bridestowe, Okehampton, Devon EX20 4ER Tel: (01837)861157 or [email protected] (please put BaSE in the subjectline) BaSE is printed by Martin Young at the above address. BaSE Page 40